Public reminded to make smart choices when outside in Whistler’s opened parks and trails

With the opening of Whistler’s parks and trails, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is encouraging residents to get outside and exercise – as well as make smart choices about physical distancing, staying safe and staying local.

All parks in Whistler have re-opened for public use, with select amenities remaining closed. Likewise, almost all off-road recreational trails in Whistler are now free of snow.

“I encourage all Whistlerites to get outside and enjoy this place. It is critical to our mental and physical health,” said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton. “I also encourage everyone to resist the temptation to decide what is right for others. Each of us is responsible for managing our own two meters. Accessing outdoor spaces in our new normal requires a great deal of social responsibility. Let’s be kind, wise and greet each other warmly from a distance.”

All Whistler parks open

All of Whistler’s parks are now open, although select amenities remain closed.

Open parks include: Rainbow Park, Lost Lake Park, Alpha Lake Park, Lakeside Park, Meadow Park, and all other major and neighbourhood parks.

Park amenities that remain closed include:

• Playgrounds: Playgrounds remain closed as they are high-touch surfaces. For similar reasons, the Meadow Park waterpark and outdoor gyms are also closed.
   
• Facilities requiring cleaning and repair. Park facilities that need to be spring cleaned, inspected and repaired remain temporarily closed. This includes the tennis courts at Myrtle Phillip and Taluswood Park. All other RMOW-maintained tennis courts remain opened, including at Meadow Park, Alpha Lake Park, Millar’s Pond, White Gold and Brio.

The RMOW continues to assess all facility closures with a view to open all amenities as soon as it is safe to do so.

To learn more about Whistler’s parks, visit whistler.ca/parks.

Off-road recreational trails
 

Almost all of Whistler’s off-road recreational trails are snow-free and open for public use. The RMOW encourages residents to get outside and exercise on these trails, but not to congregate.
 

When accessing Whistler trails, please stay at least two metres from others and do not recreate in groups. You must ride and hike within your ability. Now is not the time to try something new that could lead to an injury and put strain on the health care system.

Whistler residents should also play in their own backyard only. This means riding or walking to all trailheads and access points rather than driving.

Select trails in Lost Lake Park are closed until further notice as a result of fuel-thinning work to prevent wildfire. Specifically: White Gold Traverse (no access from either end), Centennial Trail between PassivHaus and Spruce Grove, Tin Pants, Gypsy Drum and Peaches En Regalia. A detour will be in place at the Lost Lake Park entrance behind Lost Lake PassivHaus from approximately May 11 to 24. Access from the south end of the Lost Lake Trails at the Passive House will be diverted 1.3 km on the paved Valley Trail along Blackcomb Way and Lost Lake Road to Cedar Way and Lost Lake Beach.

Trails in Whistler are managed by a variety of different groups, including WORCA, Recreation Sites and Trails BC, Alpine Club of Canada Whistler Chapter, Whistler Blackcomb and more.

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is managed by Whistler Blackcomb and remains closed. See details.

Visit whistler.ca/trails to learn more about RMOW managed trails, or TrailForks for details on specific trails.